Alabama vs. Arkansas: position-by-position matchups (view from the other side)

Arkansas running back Knile Davis (7) runs untouched into the end zone to score the winning touchdown on a 7-yard pass in the second overtime against Mississippi State in their NCAA football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. No. 13 Arkansas won in double overtime 38-31. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Now here's one from the perspective of an Arkansas beat reporter: Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Units are judged on a five-star scale, with five being the best. ...

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Alabama * * * *

Arkansas * * *

The SEC’s passing efficiency leader will be on the visiting sideline in Alabama’s AJ McCarron (25 of 40 for 418 yards), whose steady hand led to last year’s BCS national title. McCarron’s efficiency rating of 199.78, which ranks No. 3 nationally, is boosted by a 6:0 touchdown-to-interception rate. McCarron’s completion percentage of .625 percent could be better, and he was sacked 6 times last week. Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson (30 of 47, 563 yards, 5 TDs, 1 int.), whose 195.3 efficiency rating is fourth in the nation, will be a game-time decision after last week’s hit to his head. Brandon Allen (10 of 27, 118 yards, 1 TD, 1 int.) started fast last week, but threw incomplete on his final 12 passes in the upset loss to Louisiana-Monroe. Brandon Mitchell could take snaps under center and play receiver in the same game, and the 6-4, 235-pounder’s running style would be a change-up to throw at the Alabama defense. The Razorbacks would seemingly need to move the pocket to keep Alabama from teeing off.

Running back

Alabama * * * *

Arkansas * * *

Alabama has smoothly inserted freshman T.J. Yeldon (17 carries for 136 yards, 8.0 yards per carry) into the backfield, with lead back Eddie Lacy (18-71, 3.9 ypc) taking on a moderate workload after turf toe surgery then ankle and knee sprains in camp. Second-leading rusher Jalston Fowler (11-85), a power runner and lead blocker, is out for the year with a knee injury suffered last week. The Tide rank 64th nationally in rushing (167.5). Arkansas has yet to get its veteran trio of Knile Davis (34-132, 3.9 ypc), Dennis Johnson (12-88, 7.3 ypc) and Ronnie Wingo (6-30, 5.0 ypc) in a groove after facing defenses that loaded up at the line. The Razorbacks had hoped to establish more of a run presence entering Week 3, but they rank No. 87 in the nation and No. 13 in the SEC at 130 yards per game. The fullback position has been decimated with injuries to Kiero Small and Kody Walker, leaving walk-on Morgan Linton and offensive tackle Grady Ollison the top two options.

Receivers

Arkansas * * *

Alabama * * *

Kevin Norwood, a 6-2 junior, has emerged as the Tide’s top threat with 6 catches for 145 yards, 2 touchdowns and a 24.2-yard average per catch. Christion Jones (3-47, 2) , a 5-11 sophomore, and freshman Amari Cooper (3-27) have emerged as targets along with starter DeAndrew White (2-66, 1) and Kenny Bell (2-26). Michael Williams, a 6-6, 269-pound tight end who has one catch, hurt Arkansas with his TD on a fake field goal to open the scoring last year, and he’ll be tough to cover for the Razorbacks today. Arkansas tight end Chris Gragg (14-193, 2 TD) leads the team and ranks No. 2 in the SEC in receptions per game (7) and No. 3 in yards per game (96.5). Cobi Hamilton (8-112, 1) leads the wideouts. Brandon Mitchell (4-122) and Javontee Herndon (4-96, 1) broke out in Week 1 and were shut out last week. Mekale McKay (3-82, 1) has been a deep threat with 27.3 yards per catch. Julian Horton made an impact with his diving, one-handed, 20-yard touchdown catch last week, his first reception.

Line

Alabama * * * *

Arkansas * * *

Both units felt the heat this week: Alabama after allowing 6 sacks against Western Kentucky — more than a third of its total of 17 sacks allowed last year — and Arkansas for not holding up under blitz pressure. The Crimson Tide line, deemed one of the best in college football history by Michigan Coach Brady Hoke, averages nearly 6-5, 314 pounds, and includes center Barrett Jones, the Outland Trophy winner last year as college football’s top interior lineman, and fellow preseason All-SEC choices D.J. Fluker and Chance Warmack. Anthony Steen started 9 games in 2011 at right guard, and new left tackle Cyrus Kouandijo, 6-6, 311, was a consensus top-5 recruit. A report this week claimed Fluker was tipping off runs and passes with his stance last week. Alabama, 72nd nationally with 379.5 yards per game, is still feeling its way under new coordinator Doug Nussmeier. The Razorbacks are demanding more push from a front that includes veteran juniors Travis Swanson and Alvin Bailey, former walk-ons Tyler Deacon and David Hurd, and the strong tackle combo of Brey Cook and Jason Peacock. Arkansas ranks No. 38 in total offense (470.5), No. 12 in passing (340.5) and No. 23 in sacks allowed (2).

The Crimson Tide simply reloaded here, and their new starters, like sophomores Trey DePriest, 6-2, 245 pounds, Adrian Hubbard, 6-6, 248, and Xzavier Dickson, 6-3, 262, already have the builds of veterans. Team tackle leader C.J. Mosley (18, 1 sack, 1 interception) and Nico Johnson, 6-3, 245, have the most experience. Johnson and DePriest are second and third in tackles with 13 and 9, respectively. Alabama ranks No. 14 in total defense (246.5 yards per game) and No. 13 against the run (57.5). Arkansas is seeing the effects of not having seniors Tenarius Wright (19, 1 pass breakup, 1 hurry) and Alonzo Highsmith (15, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery) on the field together much in the spring and fall camp. Their smash-mouth run stopping will be tested, along with Terrell Williams (1) and possibly Chris Smith.

Alabama supplied the energy here last year, outplaying Arkansas’ units with a touchdown off a fake field goal, a punt return score and solid coverage. Jeremy Shelley (10 of 10 on extra-point attempts, 1 of 1 on field-goal attempt) hasn’t missed a kick, while long-distance kicker Cade Foster is 1 of 2 on 50-plus tries. Punter Cody Mandell is off to a great start with a 45.8-yard average (No. 2 SEC/No. 15 NCAA). Punt returner Christion Jones is averaging 11 yards on seven returns, while Kevin Norwood has the team’s only kickoff return, a 22-yarder. Arkansas leads the SEC and ranks No. 8 in the NCAA by allowing just 14 yards per kickoff return. Punter Dylan Breeding (42.6) got back on track last week, and his average ranks No. 5 SEC/No. 35 NCAA. Kicker Zach Hocker is 11 for 11 on extra-point attempts and his 37-yard field goal in overtime last week was clutch. Dennis Johnson (19.4 average) has had trouble breaking loose with the first defenders getting to his legs.

Intangibles

Arkansas * * * *.

Alabama * * * *

Arkansas should be buoyed by another raving, raucous crowd, like in the 2010 game here, but the Crimson Tide are well equipped with crowd-silencing techniques. The Crimson Tide take everyone’s best shot, but they always seem to be particularly ready for these SEC openers against Arkansas. However, there is some inexperience on the Alabama defense, much like in ’10, so the Razorbacks would seemingly have a shot at putting the Tide on their heels if they can find an offensive rhythm. Alabama seized the initiative with its first-drive fake field goal last year, showing the aggressive mentality it was taking into the day. Arkansas has to shake up its standard approach to Alabama -- described as “just play Razorbacks football” -- in some fashion. Arkansas coaches must make better in-game adjustments than last week, when the answers simply weren’t there in the second half. There’s a pretty good feel for what kind of performance Alabama will have, based on five-plus seasons under the demanding Nick Saban, but the Razorbacks’ reaction to last week’s embarrassment is anybody’s guess. They could follow it with another flop, or they could rise up and put a scare into No. 1.